Two fires that occurred a week apart destroyed a brick house and a mobile home in Dearing.

The first fire took place at 2 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, on Camellia Drive. No one was injured, but the house was a total loss from a combination of fire and smoke damage, according to Danny Cason, the chief of the Dearing Volunteer Fire Department. Another fire occurred at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, on First Street. Cason said no one was injured, but the home was a total loss because of fire and smoke damage.

Cason said he appreciated the assistance of the McDuffie County Fire Department Mutual Aid, which responded to the scenes of both fires.

Provided to The McDuffie Mirror

AUGUSTA -- The Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art will present the first public art installation by contemporary photographer Sarah Hobbs during the 2011 Westobou Festival. The installation opened Wednesday and runs through Oct. 7.

Sarah Hobbs: Flight in Place will be a site-specific art installation in the Institute's South Gallery.

Hobbs's work explores and gives form to various human behaviors and compulsions. She carefully stages and photographs scenes that are meant to embody phobias, neuroses, and obsessions.